Da Nang Bridge: A Guide to Famous Bridges in Da Nang

Song Han or Han river flows through and cuts Da Nang city downtown into two. After 15^th century, Vietnamese emperors and French colonists chose its left bank to place important buildings. Today, many of which still exist, including fortresses, markets, church, city hall, temples and streets. On the opposite bank, there are traditional fishing villages and large sand lands. In 1965, the colonists constructed the first bridge ever over the river and they named it the same to a French military general. Today, that is Nguyen Van Troi bridge.

In 1997, Da Nang became a municipality city. Meanwhile, the economy and living conditions were so different between two Han river banks. People had a popular sentence to describe the scene “girls in District 3 (right bank) are not better than old ladies in District 1 (left bank)”. Ferry boat was only transportation to move from one bank to the other. It was available in the Han market. To solve the issues, the decision to build a bridge to connect two banks was made by sir Nguyen Ba Thanh, the 1^st president. In 2000, the second Han river bridge was inaugurated, with an extreme happiness of citizens.

In 2009, the third Han river bridge (Thuan Phuoc) allowed transportation over the estuary, to Central Vietnam’s largest harbor. On the occasion of the 38^th anniversary of Da Nang liberation, the Dragon bridge and Tran Thi Ly bridge were also completed. Not long then, a Love lock bridge was added in the east riverside. Two years later, Nga Ba Hue bridge (Vietnam’s first three-floor overpass) resolved traffic congestions in its location. 

Da Nang Dragon Bridge aka Da Nang Fire Bridge

Crossing over Han river, this uniquely-designed bridge provides passage for traffic from Da Nang airport to My Khe beach, and vice versa. It’s between Han river bridge and Tran Thi Ly bridge. Built from July 2009 to March 2013, it features a yellow steel dragon in the median strip of a six-lane road. The dragon head faces towards the sea, to bring wealth to the citizens. Pedestrian walkways are added on either side, with wavy handrails. Owning a height of up to 9,000 tonnes, Dragon Bridge is the largest steel bridge in the countryside. 

Read details in Dragon Bridge Travel Guide

Da Nang Golden Bridge aka Da Nang Hand Bridge

Sitting on a slope of Ba Na Hills, this 150-meters-long pedestrian bridge was constructed from July 2017 to April 2018. It’s also known as the Hand bridge because there are two giant hands holding it in reality. There is no religion relation it has like what people often wonder about. While walking on its wood floor, travelers have the chance to see beautiful panoramic sceneries and have lots of photo opportunities. Nowadays, Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge is amongst the most sought-after places to visit in the country, not only Da Nang. 

Read details in Golden Bridge Vietnam

Han River Bridge Da Nang aka Da Nang Opening Bridge

One year after Da Nang city became a municipality (1998), construction of this first Vietnamese-built bridge over Han river began. In 29^th March 2000, it’s inaugurated on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of city liberation day. It features a length of 487 meters, a width of 13 meters and two cable-stayed posts in the middle. For citizens, especially those who live in the left bank, their life has been changed positively. Today, wide boulevards, tall hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and grid-land residential areas replace poor fishing villages. Many songs, poems and other forms of literature have inspiration from here.

The Han River Bridge is special, not only because it’s the first Vietnamese-built bridge in city history. It’s also the first swing bridge in Vietnam. In the midnight, its swing-span section turns clockwise, to allow large boats to move further. Plenty of tourists visit this late time, to watch and make videos. Around 4 a.m, the span returns. As there are not many boats cruising on the river, now the turning is limited and mainly to serve tourists or maintenance.  

Other Famous Bridges in Da Nang

Love Bridge Da Nang

This nearly-70 meters pedestrian bridge (or wharf) is located by Han river’s right bank, near the Da Nang Merlion statue. Jutting out the water, it’s decorated by trees with red heart-like leaves and has black handrails with many locks. Local couples often visit here to leave a lock, to express their strong love. A shop to buy the locks stands near the beginning of the bridge, with a couple of models to choose from. In the evening, strollers come to view the colorful riverscape. The whole iconic Dragon Bridge can be captured by the phone. 

Tran Thi Ly Bridge

Towards the upstream, Tran Thi Ly cable-stayed bridge is famous for its modern design, looking like a sailboat ready to set sail. This 700-meters-long six lane road is just 20 meters to the south of Nguyen Van Troi pedestrian bridge. Providing the quickest access to the sea from Da Nang airport’s domestic terminal, its name is a heroic woman. In her life, she was imprisoned several times but never revealed any information about her duties and the communist party. She luckily met Ho Chi Minh president three times and in 1992, passed away in a hospital in Da Nang.

Originally, Tran Thi Ly bridge was a railway bridge built by the colonists and named the same to a French military general. For a while, it’s called Trinh Minh The, a South Vietnamese nationalist and Caodaist. After the Vietnam war ended, it’s improved to support transportation for cars, buses and trucks. In April 2009, a new bridge was constructed to replace the rundown former one. The blueprint was from a Finnish company which was carefully selected after a competition. In 29th March 2013, citizens welcomed the fourth bridge across their pretty hometown river.

Thuan Phuoc Bridge

Thuan Phuoc bridge is a suspension bridge, aiming to reduce the number of trucks and containers moving through the city (to the port). Built from 2003 to 2009 in Han river estuary, this is the longest bridge construction ever in Da Nang history. Reasons to explain are challenges from location, weather and geological factors. It features a length of 1,850 meters and a width of 18 meters, carrying a four-lane road. Its towers are 92 meters high, higher than any bridges throughout the country. From the deck, travelers can see a broad view over the Han river below and buildings set along its banks. On the other side, the whole of Da Nang bay, river mouth, a part of Son Tra and Hai Van mountains are in sight. There, it’s perfect to enjoy both sunrise and sunset, and that’s why lots of locals come in the special times.  

Nguyen Van Troi Bridge

This 514-meters-long bridge was built by the American army in 1960, making it the first road bridge over Han river. Its main role is to carry vehicles transporting weapons and necessities from the port to the opposite bank. Military camps and Da Nang air base were all there. In 1978, its wood surface was replaced by concrete and in 1996, by steel panels because the foundation was quite weak. According to the original plan, it would be destroyed when the neighboring Tran Thi Ly bridge was completed. However, because of history relations, sir Nguyen Ba Thanh requested the preservation and designate it to be for pedestrians only. Its name, Nguyen Van Troi, a Vietnamese communist and patriot. He put the bomb under a bridge to kill US Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara in 1964 but not successfully.

Nga Ba Hue Bridge

In 29th March 2015, this Vietnam’s modernist overpass was inaugurated, to commemorate the 40th Da Nang liberation day. To solve traffic congestion caused by conflicts between four wide boulevards and a railway, it’s designed with two levels. The first level carries a four-lane road with a circle at where the roads meet. The second one allows vehicles to go straight from Ton Duc Thang and Dien Bien Phu roads and vice versa. This is a suspension bridge, featuring a 65-meters-tall oval tower. Architects say that the tower and the circle below represent the Linga and Yoni in Hinduism, used to exist in the land. Visit Cham sculpture museum or My Son sanctuary to see old artifacts depicting the couple that symbolizes the growth. 

Hoa Bac Hanging Bridge

30km northwest of Da Nang city, Hoa Bac villages are proud of this hanging bridge, spanning the Cu De river. Built from January 2001 to September 2002, it has a length of 150 meters and a width of 7,5 meters. Thanks to being located in a peaceful countryside, travelers can enjoy the rides on it and around the farms. There is a small church close by, placed in the middle of sugarcane gardens. In the late afternoon, it’s possible to seek a riverside place to get cold drinks, see sunset and feel a serene environment. 

Dai Loc Bamboo Bridge

Bamboo bridges were popular in the countryside of the region formerly, but now replaced by concrete ones. In Dai Loc district, visitors still can see rustic bridges made by bamboo in Dai An vegetable village. They allow farmers and their bikes to access the gardens daily. Experiences there give travelers the chance to know better rural life, nice reasons to escape from busy city. There are riding on bridges, watching herb growers at work, feeling untouched countryside and sightseeing cultural landmarks. Photographers love to come to record lively moments, such as the scene locals passing over the bridge in the sunset (after work). It takes around 50 minutes to get there from the Dragon Bridge. 

How does Da Nang Bridge Look at Night?

Four bridges in the central stretch of Han river are decorated by plenty of lights varying in color and always changing their colors. That makes anytime people ride across the bridges, they see a different look. The most colorful one is the Dragon Bridge, which attracts most visitors to walk along to see and take photos. From this highlight, it’s easy to view the most wonderful riversides, two other bridges and the wheel from a distance. Lightful cruises move on the water, also making the scene very deserve to be loved and praised. For locals, touring around Han river banks and looking at bridges is one of their favourite things to do. During the annual international fireworks festival, the bridges are perfect locations to witness gorgeous performances of light and music.

Activities

After it’s dark, travelers can choose to enjoy the gorgeous and shimmering riverscape of the Han from a cruise or a rooftop venue. About the boat ride, it’s possible to book a ticket in many local tour operators and online providers. Dinner may be served on board, but it is necessary to announce in advance. On the weekend, watching Han River Swing Bridge turning and Dragon Bridge breathing fire are highlights. The second is among the best activities in Da Nang at night. See more information about it in centralvietnamguide.com/dragon-bridge-da-nang. Along the banks, riverfront restaurants, coffee shops, bars and pubs are many to choose from. Many of which provide seatings with a view overlooking twinkling neon-lit bridges.

Best Places to See Da Nang Bridge at Night

Easiest to get and free spots to view bridges in Da Nang are from Bach Dang and Tran Hung Dao promenades, left and right banks respectively. The first is popularly-picked because the scene of nightlife there looks better (in the daytime, great too). Waterfront restaurants and bars often just provide the view to one bridge only, and people usually love to sit towards the Dragon Bridge. With a higher location, travelers may have the best view over the river from rooftop venues like coffee shops or bars. In common, they are in high-rise hotels, such as the Novotel Da Nang Han River. There, the delightful beauty of the city by night is within sight, besides an awesome drink. Fabulous pictures are definitely taken at an ease. More special, the Golden Bridge offers a swimming pool, allowing travelers to enjoy the great outlook while soaking in cool water. During the fireworks festival, no doubt these places become the most ideal spots to watch.   

-The longest Da Nang bridge: Thuan Phuoc bridge.

-The most specially-designed bridges: Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills, Dragon Bridge.

-The oldest bridge: Nguyen Van Troi bridge but if built by Vietnamese only, Han River Bridge.

-The highest bridge: Thuan Phuoc bridge, but if basing on the location, the Golden bridge, over 1,400 meters above sea level.

-The widest bridge: the Dragon Bridge.

-The shortest famous bridge: the Love bridge.

-The bridge with longest construction: Thuan Phuoc bridge, nearly 6 years.

-Pedestrian bridges: the Golden Bridge, Nguyen Van Troi bridge and Love bridge.